Yasya Putro Vashibhutah (Heaven Is Right Here) — Word-by-Word Meaning
यस्य पुत्रो वशीभूतो
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
यस्य
yasya
whose, of the one whose
पुत्रः
putraḥ
son (child)
वशीभूतः
vaśībhūtaḥ
obedient, well-behaved, devoted (under loving guidance)
भार्या
bhāryā
wife, spouse
छन्दानुगामिनी
chandānugāminī
agreeable, moving in harmony (with one's wishes); harmonious
विभवे
vibhave
in (one's) wealth / means / prosperity
यः च
yaḥ ca
and who
सन्तुष्टः
santuṣṭaḥ
content, satisfied
तस्य
tasya
for him, his
स्वर्गः
svargaḥ
heaven, paradise
इह एव हि
iha eva hi
right here itself, in this very world
Complete Translation
He whose son is devoted and well-behaved, whose wife lives in harmony with him, and who is content with whatever wealth he has — for such a person, heaven is right here in this very world. Chanakya teaches that true paradise is not a distant realm but a harmonious home crowned by contentment.
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya)
Period: Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, for all his mastery of statecraft and worldly strategy, also reflected deeply on the springs of personal happiness. In this gentle verse he locates heaven not in some far-off realm but in the harmony of the household — an obedient child, an agreeable spouse and a contented heart — teaching that the good life is built at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Yasya Putro Vashibhutah' come from?▼
It is a famous verse from the Chanakya Niti (Niti Darpana), the collection of aphorisms attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya / Vishnugupta), the ancient Indian teacher of ethics, statecraft and the good life.
What three things make 'heaven on earth' according to this verse?▼
A son (child) who is devoted and well-behaved, a spouse who lives in harmony with one, and contentment with whatever wealth one possesses. Where these three are present, Chanakya says, heaven exists in this very world.
What is the deeper lesson of this verse?▼
That happiness does not depend on a distant heaven or limitless wealth, but on harmonious relationships and a contented mind. It points to santosha — contentment — as the secret that turns an ordinary home into paradise.
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